Test Analyst X2

The GLA has been at the forefront of digital and data innovation in London since its inception – will you join us as we make an exciting step change in our digital capability? 

Digital and data services play a critical role in enabling the delivery of the functions of the Mayor of London and the London Assembly – and it’s critical to ensure these are reliable and of high quality. 

As a Test Analyst you’ll be responsible for the ongoing enhancement and maintenance development of the GLA’s digital estate and associated services meeting user needs, satisfying its acceptance criteria, and offering a consistent & expected user experience.  

You’ll document, maintain and conduct a suite of regression tests on a regular basis - systematically checking digital products for new failures/conflicts/bugs.  

You’ll champion the user, ensuring the best digital experience for the diverse audiences of our online services. You’ll act as the first point of contact for the investigation of digital products not functioning as expected.  

What your day will look like
 

1.    Rapidly design and execute tests to validate newly developed functionality meets requirements, acceptance criteria and user needs. Pay attention to detail and highlight if functionality is inconsistent with other digital products from the GLA. Ensure well established web usability and accessibility conventions and standards are met.  

2.    See the big picture when conducting systematic regression tests before new code is deployed to live products. Ensure these complement existing automated tests. Offer a confident sign-off at the end of sprint cycles.  

3.    During projects involving the merging or moving of products, carefully ensure content and data have been migrated correctly – checking for consistency between the original source and the new.   

4.    Test integrations of systems, applications and services. Ensure the display of content on our digital products matches that of the source.  

5.    Conduct compatibility testing as standard to cover for commonly used browsers, operating systems and devices, ensuring products perform consistently and correctly.  

6.    Think logically and critically in estimating, logging, prioritising, tracking and signing-off bugs, faults and stories within agile project tracking applications.  

7.    Maintain knowledge and skills in accessibility and usability to ensure products remain easily usable by all audiences.  

8.    Help develop testing skills within the team and across City Hall’s Product Owners and digital leads, through participation in communities of practice.  

9.    Proactively reduce reliance on manual testing, support Test Driven Development and Behaviour Driven Development approaches to pair up with technical colleagues in writing, reusing, and maintaining automated test scripts and reporting 

10. Document and present reports clearly and with the required level of detail for differing audiences. Confidently challenge, constructively feedback recommendations and voice potential improvements.  

Skills, knowledge and experience 
 

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

·Proven ability in planning tests, including writing of test plans and scripts, forming test criteria and estimating test effort.  

·Demonstratable experience conducting functional and user acceptance testing on digital products. Experience logging and prioritising tickets.  

·Proven ability to document, maintain and conduct regression test steps prior to the deployment of new code. Experience working with automated tests.  

·Ability to communicate concisely, clearly and with detail to technical and non-technical audiences. Proficiency in documenting and writing reports, test metrics and scripts.    

·Experienced working in Agile development. Able to priorities, manage and track own tasks and workload.  

·Working knowledge of standards and guidelines relating to web accessibility, government digital services, usability, and best practice digital conventions.    

·Additionally, proficiency in a scripting language, such as Python or JavaScript to write, reuse, maintain automated tests and test utilities using Selenium/Cypress and test designing using Behaviour Driven Development tools like Cucumber would be desirable.  

How to apply 

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

-          Up to date CV

-          Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.

Assessment process 

Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel.

If shortlisted you’ll be invited to an interview and an assessment. The interview/assessment date is: to be confirmed. 

Equality, diversity and inclusion

London's diversity is its biggest asset and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share. 

Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

Additional Information

Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening. 

JOB DESCRIPTION
 

Principal Accountabilities 

1.    Rapidly design and execute tests to validate newly developed functionality meets requirements, acceptance criteria and user needs. Pay attention to detail and highlight if functionality is inconsistent with other digital products from the GLA. Ensure well established web usability and accessibility conventions and standards are met.

2.    See the big picture when conducting systematic regression tests before new code is deployed to live products. Ensure these complement existing automated tests. Offer a confident sign-off at the end of sprint cycles.  

3.    During projects involving the merging or moving of products, carefully ensure content and data have been migrated correctly – checking for consistency between the original source and the new. 

4.    Test integrations of systems, applications and services. Ensure the display of content on our digital products matches that of the source.

5.    Conduct compatibility testing as standard to cover for commonly used browsers, operating systems and devices, ensuring products perform consistently and correctly. 

6.    Think logically and critically in estimating, logging, prioritising, tracking and signing-off bugs, faults and stories within agile project tracking applications.

7.    Maintain knowledge and skills in accessibility and usability to ensure products remain easily usable by all audiences.

8.    Help develop testing skills within the team and across City Hall’s Product Owners and digital leads, through participation in communities of practice.

9.    Proactively reduce reliance on manual testing, support Test Driven Development and Behaviour Driven Development approaches to pair up with technical colleagues in writing, reusing, and maintaining automated test scripts and reporting

10. Document and present reports clearly and with the required level of detail for differing audiences. Confidently challenge, constructively feedback recommendations and voice potential improvements.

11. Fully understand the lifecycle of product development. Across the organisation, champion the use of agile, user-first, mobile-first principles, and reuse over rebuild. Be transparent with results and encourage engagement in our work.

12. Realise the benefits of a flexible approach to work in undertaking the duties and responsibilities of this job, and participating in multi-disciplinary, cross-department and cross-organisational groups and project teams.  

13. Realise the benefits of London’s diversity by promoting and enabling equality of opportunities and promoting the diverse needs and aspirations of London’s communities.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Technical Requirements/experience/qualifications

●     Proven ability in planning tests, including writing of test plans and scripts, forming test criteria and estimating test effort.

●     Demonstratable experience conducting functional and user acceptance testing on digital products. Experience logging and prioritising tickets.

●     Proven ability to document, maintain and conduct regression test steps prior to the deployment of new code. Experience working with automated tests.

●     Ability to communicate concisely, clearly and with detail to technical and non-technical audiences. Proficiency in documenting and writing reports, test metrics and scripts.

●     Experience in checking migrated content and integrated products. 

●     Experienced working in Agile development. Able to priorities, manage and track own tasks and workload.

●     Working knowledge of standards and guidelines relating to web accessibility, government digital services, usability, and best practice digital conventions.

●     Good understanding of the latest digital trends, practices, and directions.

●     A working knowledge of a range of digital and collaborative tools, including those focused on ticket and sprint management, project planning and screen recording.

●     Additionally, proficiency in a scripting language, such as Python or JavaScript to write, reuse, maintain automated tests and test utilities using Selenium/Cypress and test designing using Behaviour Driven Development tools like Cucumber would be desirable.

Behavioural competencies 
 

Communicating and influencing

… is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate and engage with us. 

Level 2 indicators:

·Communicates openly and inclusively with internal and external stakeholders

·Clearly articulates the key points of an argument, both in verbal and written communication

·Persuades others, using evidence-based knowledge, modifying approach to deliver message effectively

·Challenges the views of others in an open and constructive way

·Presents a credible and positive image both internally and externally

Decision Making

… is forming sound, evidence-based judgements, making choices, assessing risks to delivery, and taking accountability for results. 

Level 2 indicators:

·Takes decisions as necessary on the basis of the information available 

·Makes decisions without unnecessarily referring to others

·Involves and consults internal and external stakeholders early in decisions that impact them 

·Identifies potential barriers to decision making and initiates action to move a situation forward

·Demonstrates awareness of the GLA’s decision making processes and how to use them

Planning and Organising

… is thinking ahead, managing time, priorities, and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard. 

Level 2 indicators:

·Prioritises work in line with key team or project deliverables

·Makes contingency plans to account for changing work priorities, deadlines, and milestones

·Identifies and consults with sponsors or stakeholders in planning work

·Pays close attention to detail, ensuring team’s work is delivered to a high standard

·Negotiates realistic timescales for work delivery, ensuring team deliverables can be met

Problem Solving

… is analysing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions. 

Level 3 indicators:

·Clarifies ambiguous problems, questioning assumptions to reach a fuller understanding

·Actively challenges the status quo to find new ways of doing things, looking for good practice

·Seeks and incorporates diverse perspectives to help produce workable strategies to address complex issues

·Initiates consultation on opportunities to improve work processes

·Supports the organisation to implement innovative suggestions 

Responding to Pressure and Change

… is being flexible and adapting positively, to sustain performance when the situation changes, workload increases, tensions rise or priorities shift. 

Level 2 indicators:

·Maintains a focus on key priorities and deliverables, staying resilient in the face of pressure

·Anticipates and adapts flexibly to changing requirements 

·Uses challenges as an opportunity to learn and improve 

·Participates fully and encourages others to engage in change initiatives 

·Manages team’s well-being, supporting them to cope with pressure and change